When we talk about the greatest captain in Star Trek history, we don't often mention Kathryn Janeway. It's a shame because she should be in the conversation. The two names that get mentioned the most, and maybe rightfully so (or not rightfully so depending on your point of view) are Jean-Luc Picard and James T. Kirk.
Played first and most famously by Patrick Stewart and William Shatner respectively, Picard and Kirk have long been the franchise's standard bearers. As the first two series captains, they often are pitted against one another in debates, with many being split on who really is the best captain of the franchise.
While both men, and even others like Benjamin Sisko and Christopher Pike have a claim to the proverbial throne, Janeway has arguably the strongest argument for being the top captain.
Unlike every other captain (or eventual admiral) in Star Trek's long canon of television leaders, it's Janeway who outranks them all. At least, in a number of appearances. Across two series, Star Trek's Voyager and Prodigy, Janeway has appeared in 196 episodes. More episodes than Kirk, Sisko, or even Picard himself.
The numbers get even more wild when we factor in the appearances that Kate Mulgrew, the woman who brought Kathryn Janeway to life, played that weren't Janeway. When we factor in Mulgrew's tenure as Holo-Janeway, the Emergency Command Hologram that Mulgrew voiced in Prodiy, the number grows. The hologram wasn't only voiced by Mulgrew but was modeled after Janeway as well, giving the legendary actress 206 total episodes that she ended up being in.
This means that Janeway and Mulgrew have surpassed everyone but Colm Meaney (Miles O'Brien) and Michael Dorn (Worf) in on-screen appearances. This gives Janeway and Mulgrew a shot at the first lady of Star Trek label as well.
While Majel Barrett's voice has appeared in 245 credited episodes, she only appeared on screen 43 times as various characters. Her voice-over work does make her the most credited person in Star Trek history, but a lot of her dialogue was recycled from episode to episode. Her voice was even used in Star Trek: Picard, long after Barrett's passing in real life.
Janeway has a realistic shot at surpassing Meaney, and Dorn, with an outside shot at Barret should Prodigy be picked up for more seasons. At 20 episodes a clip, she could pocket another 40-60 episodes, before potentially getting to head her own Picard-like series. If that happens, she may hit the perfect number to surpass Barrett and take the undisputed crown of Star Trek.
Until then, Janeway and Mulgrew will just have to settle for fourth. A position that's still better than anything Picard or Kirk ever did.